Inside The Bills

The Bills have put New England behind them. It’s all about the Niners now, and we’ll talk about the first day of the practice week tonight on The John Murphy Show.

We’ll have the news from the locker room right off the top at 7pm, including Mario Williams talking about his wrist injury, the Bills talking about mental toughness, and Kyle Williams thoughts on his $15,000 fine.

Former Bills Head Coach Marv Levy joins us live at 7:20pm. We’ll get Marv’s thoughts on the upcoming induction of Bill Polian to the Bills Wall of Fame, and other NFL issues.

At 8pm, Kimberly Jones of NFL.com and the NFL Network joins us to give us her view of San Francisco’s blowout win over the Jets last Sunday. Kimberly says Rex Ryan’s Jets are in complete disarray, and we’ll talk to her about that.

And at 820pm, Bills OT Chris Hairston joins us in studio. He’s got to step into the starting lineup at left tackle for at least the next couple of games, with Cordy Glenn on the sidelines.

As usual, we’re ready for your questions and comments.

The John Murphy Show airs weeknights from 7pm-9pm on the flagship station of the Buffalo Bills, WGR Sports Radio 550.

Coming off a persistent groin injury in the preseason, starting RT Erik Pears is still working to get his endurance up to play an entire regular season game. That’s why for the second straight week the plan is to rotate Pears with Chris Hairston at right tackle again Sunday against the Chiefs.

“He’s still working back,” said head coach Chan Gailey of Pears. “We’re still going to probably alternate those guys.”

Terrence McGee is another player that was rotated in with Aaron Williams at left cornerback. Gailey said earlier in the week that McGee’s reps would increase this week after coming out of last week’s game with no problems.

Well preseason game number one is in the books. Just another four days of camp and the team returns to One Bills Drive. Let’s get to your questions from AskChris@bills.nfl.net and @ChrisBrownBills on twitter.

1 – Chris,
I was wondering what kind if influence an improved defense would have on the offensive play calling? If (IF) this bill’s defense can live up to its billing, will Fitzpatrick need to throw as much?

CB: I asked both Chan Gailey and Ryan Fitzpatrick this very question a while back. Both indicated that when you’re playing with a lead more often there’s less of a need to take risks. Here’s exactly what they had to say about your question.

“You have a football team,” said Gailey. “You don’t have an offense, a defense and special teams. You have a football team and the objective is to win the game. So you’re always adjusting to what the situation in the game is and if we’re in closer ball games and we have leads you do change your thought process and the way you approach the game. And it allows Fitz to alter the way he approaches the game a little bit. We’ve got to continue to work that because we’ve not been in that situation in the last couple of years.”

“I think it allows you to limit the risks you take,” said Fitzpatrick. “I think if you’re in games all the time and not falling behind whether it’s from a poor performance early from the offense or whatever it is, you certainly have to be a smarter and more reserved quarterback. With our offense there are going to be times where we take chances because that’s what makes us good as well. But there’s a balance we have to find there in terms of when we’re taking those chances and when to take the checkdown.”

2 – Hey Chris,

Thanks for your daily articles and updates. I had a question about offensive tackle based on your latest article. A lot of scouts seem to believe that both Glenn and Hairston could be great RT’s. So why is there only competition at LT? I think Pears played well last year at RT and I’m glad we have him, but I think he still has plenty to prove. It’s not like he’s an All-Pro, but it seems like he’s just being handed the RT job without having to compete for it. Why shouldn’t the loser of the LT competition be considered for the starting spot on the right side? Isn’t it possible that Glenn and Hairston could be the two best OT’s on the team?

Thanks,
Ed
Denver, CO

CB: It’s my opinion that Erik Pears had a very good season last year from start to finish. He was a much stronger player after spending an offseason in Buffalo’s conditioning program and put on 20 pounds. His play was rewarded with a three-year contract extension.

Right now he’s working back from a groin strain in camp, so Hairston has been forced to line up on the right side. I think part of the reason RT has been Pears job and his job only (before injury) is because he played very consistently last season and is a veteran presence on what is a pretty young line.

I’m not saying at some point the player that finishes second in the LT competition can’t be the team’s starting right tackle, but I think there’s value in continuity as well and keeping Pears at RT knowing he can do the job is viewed as the best idea by the staff moving forward (provided he’s healthy).

3 – Hey Chris,

My question is who are going to be the backups in the secondary? Where do you see Bryan Scott? Do you see much from Searcy? There was a lot of talk about him when the Bills drafted him but hadn’t heard much.

Respectfully,

bigfoot21 here is sunny South Carolina.

CB: Bryan Scott is a linebacker in the nickel packages and that’s really the extent of his role. Da’Norris Searcy as we’ve mentioned several times in our daily Practice Notes reports has been getting time with the starting unit rotating in for both George Wilson and Jairus Byrd. I think the staff wants to try to find a role for him presumably in a subpackage (nickel, dime).

I think sooner rather than later Searcy will be making an impact on Buffalo’s defense. He’s been impressive in the time he’s been with the ones on the practice field. We’ll see what he can do in the preseason.

4 – Hi Chris, thanks for all the information through the years. Living in San Diego, my son and I only see the Bills in enemy territory. I am trying to take him back to Buffalo to show him how a real football crowd is.

My question is does Shawn Powell or John Potter have any realistic chance making this team? Though I like the veterans, these young players look pretty good and it might be time for a change. Again thanks, ArtCB: I think Potter could make the roster as a kickoff specialist and kicker on long field goal attempts 55-yards plus. Chan Gailey has made no secret of his feelings about what kind of a weapon he believes Potter can be if he can prove that he can deliver touchbacks with regularity. He basically told me that if Potter can guarantee the opponent is starting in their own 20-yard line every time then it’s worth using a roster spot.

As for Powell I think he’s got an uphill battle. He has raw talent, but he’s not as consistent or polished as Moorman. In a year where the Bills are gunning for the playoffs you keep the guy you can count on punt in and punt out.

5 – Hi Chris, thank you for taking my question.

Is Vince Young getting the same attention from Coach Lee on his mechanics and decision making as Fitz is? And if so is he seeing any improvement in his game?

I appreciate your insight. Thanks!

– Chris Kenyon (Albany, NY)

CB: Vince Young is being schooled on the same lower body mechanics as Fitz. The same with Thigpen. A quarterbacks coach works with all of his players and David Lee is no different. Young has performed better over the past week of camp with his accuracy. Young’s arm delivery isn’t prototype, but because he’s so tall it’s a throwing motion that can work in the NFL.

Erik Pears is still not back on the practice field getting reps in any capacity, but there was some good news concerning the right tackle’s healthy moving forward.

Out for the past week plus with a groin injury, head coach Chan Gailey said a visit to a specialist by Pears went well.

“I don’t know yet. We’re going to make that decision tomorrow or the next day. If Erik can’t play, which it looks like right now that won’t happen, both of them will play Hairston and Sam will both play.”

“It looks good to be honest with you,” said Gailey. “He saw the specialist and he gave him some things to work with. It looks like it’s going to pay dividends. He was trying to get out here to practice. I think it looks a lot better than it did three days ago that’s for sure.”

Pears had hernia surgery in the spring, so a groin injury was of some concern to Gailey. But with the current outlook it sounds as if he’ll be back practicing sooner rather than later. However, it would be a surprise if he plays in the team’s first preseason game Thursday night leaving Sam Young and Chris Hairston to likely share the starting right tackle role against Washington.

While head coach Chan Gailey has made it clear that neither Chris Hairston nor Cordy Glenn has done anything to separate themselves from the other in their much publicized left tackle competition, what is certain is sooner or later Gailey and his offensive staff will have to make a call on who is going to be the starter going into the regular season.

Currently on the team’s depth chart, Hairston is listed as the starting left tackle. Naturally a lot of what happens in the preseason games will either change that or keep it the same. Gailey knows with two young players at that position it’d be great if one of them could really set themselves apart to get the spot settled for the games that count come September. If that doesn’t happen then it appears he has a timetable in mind on making a call for that competition.

“Well you would like for it to be settled, but you can’t force it to be settled,” said Gailey. “I don’t want to force anything. A lot of times injury forces you to do things and I would rather not force it until we feel like we have to. Maybe with two weeks to go before the first game you make that decision and even though they’re close you make a decision and go with it.”

Two weeks before the opener on Sept. 9th would peg a decision to be made on the starting left tackle spot around Aug. 19th, just a couple of days after the second preseason game.

The team’s first official depth chart is out and the order at the battleground position of left tackle isn’t surprising.

Second-year lineman Chris Hairston is listed as the starter at left tackle with second-round pick Cordy Glenn as the backup. Typically going into the first preseason game the nod is given to the more experienced player. To his credit though Hairston has been a bit more consistent in the practice setting than Glenn.

The coaches started having Hairston work at both left and right tackle in Friday’s practice. Hairston doesn’t seem to care as long as he’s on the field.

“I’ve got to bring something to this team and whatever I can do that’s what I want to do,” Hairston told Buffalobills.com. “Whatever coach asks of me that’s what I’ve got to get done.”

Hairston made seven starts at left tackle last season and appeared in 13 games.

Although Bills head coach Chan Gailey doesn’t sound all that satisfied with what has transpired at the left tackle spot in the way of the competition between Cordy Glenn and Chris Hairston, left guard Andy Levitre has found working with both of them to be relatively straightforward.

“I feel like I know the offense pretty well so whoever is over there I can help out with calls and stuff like that,” Levitre told Buffalobills.com. “Both those guys are pretty smart over there so it makes it a little easier for me. Cordy really hasn’t had, I still help him out, but he hasn’t had many questions. He’s picked up the offense really quick. He’s a smart guy and probably just needs to clean up some technical things and he should be alright.”

Hairston meanwhile started seven games last season at left tackle next to Levitre so there’s a measure of comfort there too.

Bills DE Mario Williams hasn’t faced either one of Buffalo’s left tackles competing for the starting job, but he’s seen enough practice tape and watched enough of the one-on-one drills to have an opinion.

“They are doing a great job,” he said. “I will say Chris Hairston has very good feet for a big guy. They are both outstanding guys. Good pass blockers, good run blockers. As long as they are into the scheme, understand the calls and know what to do amongst the system everything will be alright. I think they are looking pretty good.”

Glenn and Hairston continue to rotate in and out with the first team every other practice.

With the starting left tackle role changing daily between Chris Hairston and Cordy Glenn there’s one thing that needs to be considered… who each of them is facing.

What’s interesting is the starting RDE position is also rotating daily between Chris Kelsay and Mark Anderson.

Through the first four days of practice when Hairston has started at left tackle, Anderson has started at right defensive end.

When Glenn is the starting LT he’s gone against Kelsay.

Knowing Anderson is the more accomplished pass rusher and Kelsay more of an all-around player, one could argue that Hairston has had a bit more of a challenge in the passing game work. However, Glenn has had his hands full with Kelsay.

One would think who candidates for a starting job go against in practice would be taken into account in deciding which player is the man for the job.

It’s clear that the Bills brass want to get Cordy Glenn as ready as possible as soon as possible for the starting left tackle role. But there’s one thing that his chief competitor for the starting job has on the rookie, NFL regular season playing experience.

Hairston appeared in 13 NFL games as a rookie including seven starts at left tackle and he did it without the benefit of any OTAs or minicamp practices. He just jumped right in at training camp. The second-year Clemson product intends to channel that experience to the practice field at training camp.

“Just being able to play out there against the likes of Osi (Umenyiora), (Jason) Babin, I mean you name it we come against one every week,” Hairston said. “It was pretty special and I took that experience and tried to really soak it in. This year I want to use it to my best advantage.”

Facing those pass rushing talents along with Mario Williams every day in practice this spring certainly didn’t hurt Hairston’s progress. I’m not saying the Hairston will beat out Glenn or that Glenn will beat out Hairston. What I will say is this could prove to be a competition that’s a lot closer than most believe. The proof will be in the pads.

Bills OT Chris Hairston knows second-round pick Cordy Glenn will be garnering all the attention at training camp with respect to the left tackle competition that will ensue when they report to St. John Fisher in a couple of weeks. Hairston doesn’t care about the hype. He’s focused on producing results knowing roles on an NFL club don’t get much bigger than starting left tackle.

“It’s definitely the biggest opportunity to date that I’ve had here with this organization,” Hairston told Buffalobills.com. “I just want to take advantage of it fully and do everything I can to just be the right guy for that position. But all I can do is be the best player I can be and put it all out on the field and let those guys decide. I just work here you know?”

Hairston sounds as if he has the right mindset going into his competition with Glenn. Be focused and determined, but don’t get caught up in who is getting first and second team reps, and save your best for the preseason games.

“It’s a part of the business. It happens every year at every position,” said Hairston of seeing Cordy Glenn and Zebrie Sanders drafted. “I came in and there was a tackle here before me. Years and years have gone by with tackles being drafted. You just have to come in a work and do what I can do. I can only control what I can and that has nothing to do with upper management. I just play here. I’m ready to do what I can to make myself a player.”

Even though Cordy Glenn took all the first team reps at left tackle in the OTAs and minicamp it doesn’t mean he’s got the inside track on landing the starting job.

That according to head coach Chan Gailey, who confirmed that come training camp it’ll be a two-man competition between Glenn and Chris Hairston. Gailey was asked about Glenn’s spring and whether he’s got an upper hand on the blind side position.

“He has the ability,” said Gailey of Glenn. “Now there are a lot of guys with a bunch of ability that are home today. But he has the ability, it’s can he transition that into pads and the speed of the game? Minicamp is just one speed. There’s another speed when you go to at training camp. There’s another speed when you hit preseason games. There’s another speed when you hit the regular season and still another speed when you reach the playoffs. So can you transition with all those speed changes, that’s a different deal. But he and Chris (Hairston) will be working at left tackle. I don’t know who will win that job.”

Hairston worked exclusively at right tackle with incumbent right tackle Erik Pears unable to participate in any of the spring practices due to hernia surgery. He’s expected to be full go come training camp allowing Hairston to compete with Glenn on the left side in late July and August.

When you’re drafted high you’re expected to produce early and be on the field a lot. Through the first two weeks plus of OTAs, Buffalo’s top two draft choices have not disappointed.

“So far they’ve done a good job,” said head coach Chan Gailey of Stephon Gilmore and Cordy Glenn. “I don’t see any reason that they would not be playing quite a bit this coming season if things continue to progress. All of a sudden they hit a wall you never know, but it doesn’t look like that’s going to happen with either one of those two.”

Gilmore is competing for a starting outside cornerback job, while Glenn will be in direct competition with Chris Hairston for the starting left tackle position.

“I think Chris Hairston is that guy,” Nix said. “He’s got a clean bill of health. Passed his physical yesterday. He’s 23 or 24-years old. Everything is going to get better with him. We have two starters at tackle, but we don’t have enough of them. We have to add in some way, the draft or free agency we need two guys at tackle. But as far as that being a panic situation or a reach situation it’s not.”

Bills GM Buddy Nix talked about the team’s offensive tackle situation in terms of their roster numbers and who they believe are capable for the blind side.

“We need tackles, but we think Chris Hairston can play left tackle for us and win,” said Nix. “People say Fitz gets the ball out quick, but we run our offense with a lot of empty sets, with five blockers and if they bring six he better get it out. In this offense he has to get it out quick. Chris Hairston might not be the prettiest foot athlete that he can protect the back side. We’ve got Pears and Sam Young is coming off of knee surgery. So we’ve only got three. We’d like to have two more.”

Bills GM Buddy Nix appeared on SiriusXM NFL Radio Monday afternoon while at the league meetings and provided an update on free agent OT Demetrius Bell.

“Demetrius wanted to test the market I think and we told him to go ahead and do that,” said Nix. “We made him an offer and didn’t hear anything back from him so I assume they’re looking for something else.”

The only other left tackle with game experience on the roster right now is Chris Hairston, someone Nix believes can take the next step after showing some promise as a rookie last season.

“Chris Hairston did a good job for us and we think he can handle it,” said Nix. “We’re not concerned about it.”

Thanks, as always, for your helpful, informative coverage of our team. Setting injuries aside, it appears to me that the Bills have a potentially powerful offense. But no matter how good an offense is, it will not overcome a weak defense—note the Packers. Consequently, although I’d love to see the team improve at left tackle, I think it would make the most sense to focus the draft (and free agency) on acquiring a real pass rusher, help at linebacker, and perhaps a defensive back, with a good wide receiver as another priority. My belief is that if you dramatically improve the defense, given the potential excellence of Williams, Dareus and Kelsay, the team has an opportunity to go to the playoffs. I don’t suggest disregarding offensive tackles, but the priority, I think, should be on the defense. I’d appreciate your thoughts. Thanks.

Pat CourtsCB: I think the Bills front office has made it clear that improving the pass rush is the top priority this offseason. Where they choose to address it is the question. It could be free agency or the draft or both. The price for a proven pass rusher in free agency can get cost prohibitive pretty quick, but there might be a free agent or two that makes sense.

A guy I think would make a lot of sense is Dallas’ Anthony Spencer. Not a guy that’s going to cripple your cap like Mario Williams or possibly even Cliff Avril knowing there will be a line of teams knocking on his door. Spencer is coming off a down season, but has pass rush ability and would likely benefit with a move back to weakside DE in a 4-3 defense instead of OLB in a 3-4 (where he played in Dallas).

That’s where Spencer lined up in college at Purdue and would likely welcome an opportunity to play there again. Without production through the roof the past couple of years he might also be reasonably priced.

So I would anticipate that Buffalo will have that need thoroughly addressed by the time the draft is over and done with in late April.

2 – Hello Chris,

I listen to all of you radio appearances and appreciate all of your coverage on the website and just want to say thank you.

My question is: How you feel about Buffalo taking a guy like NO’s Robert Meachem or NYG’s Domenik Hixon in Free Agency? I see a relatively moderate price tag and a lot of upside. My rationale being that the Bill’s love small price tags that could return big dividends and there is also a proven track record that comes along with them. Other guys I like are INDY’s Pierre Garcon or Anthony Gonzalez who have a little size and hustle to them. INDY is rebuilding so I think we could get them relatively cheap. What are your thoughts? Do you think any of these could be a possibilty in the offseason?

Nick W,
Hammondsport, NY

CB: I think the biggest upside comes with Garcon and as such he’ll command the biggest price tag. Now Colts owner Jim Irsay has publicly stated that Garcon and Mathis are two of their free agents that they intend to re-sign. Knowing Reggie Wayne is probably out the door at 33-years old, Garcon could be enticed by that knowing he’d be the top target in Indy. Of course he also might be playing with a very talented, but nevertheless rookie QB. Does he want to go through a growing pain year?

Garcon can run and is freakishly strong on the ball, fitting Buddy Nix’s description of needing a guy that’s open even when he’s not open. Best of all he’ll turn 26 just before the 2012 season. So I’d put him at the top of your list. What I like best about him is he had 70 catches last season without Manning.

Meacham offers the most speed. He runs a 4.4 flat and has 20 touchdowns over the past three seasons. That’s a pretty good number knowing Drew Brees spreads the ball around. He’s got the size the Bills are looking for at 6’2” 217. It’s just hard to definitively say he could take a leap in production as the team’s number 2 in Buffalo. That being said I think he’s a worthwhile risk and would welcome the chance to be a weekly number two instead of fighting to be the number three in New Orleans.

Domenik Hixon is a guy I’m not a big fan of. Only runs a 4.7 and is coming off a major knee injury. He might be even slower now and isn’t a physical guy on the outside. Anthony Gonzalez is another smaller guy. Super smart, but can’t stay healthy.

3 – Chris,

Last year most of the draft gurus were predicting that the Bills would draft the top rated outside linebacker, Von Miller. This year its OLB Courtney Upshaw. How does Upshaw compare to Von Miller?

LeeD

CB: Upshaw’s game is totally different than Miller’s. Miller is a pure pass rusher whose game is based on speed and quickness. Upshaw’s game is all power and strength. He’s not slow, but he’s not going to blow past guys off the ball. He’s going to drive them back into the QB or knock them on their wallet. Miller is probably more athletic, but Upshaw is a better all-around player in terms of playing the run and the pass.

Some teams even think he could be an OLB in a 3-4. I think that might be possible on the strong side, but I think he can handle DE in a 4-3 even though he’s only 6’1” and change. He’s just so thickly built I think he could hold up at the line.

4 – Hi Chris,

Really enjoy your coverage of the team. My question is: how much better do you think Fitzpatrick can be if he had more time in the pocket? The line played well this year, but I’m convinced the lack of sacks was more due to Fitz’s ability to get rid of the ball quickly. Is improving at LT a higher priority than another stud WR (assuming Stevie stays)?

Thanks and keep up the good work!
Ryan
Ramsey, NJ

CB: Thanks for the kind words. With respect to protection for Fitz you’re right, Chan Gailey’s offense is largely a timing attack. Oftentimes Fitz would get rid of the ball in less than two seconds by design. I think Chan likes using Fitz’s ability to diagnose defenses quickly to their advantage and get the ball in the hands of the playmakers as quickly as possible.

Now I suppose if you added a true deep threat to the passing game in free agency this offseason the team might be more inclined to further solidify the left tackle spot to improve protection that much more to allow more time for those deep routes to develop.

I asked Buddy Nix about whether he feels he has a defined answer at left tackle knowing Bell and Hairston flip-flopped all year due to injury. This was his initial answer, and his answer to my follow up question.

“Demetrius Bell has got all the tools. He’s got the good feet. He’s a good athlete. He’s what you look for at left tackle. The problem with Demetrius is injuries. He started the first four games for us and gets hurt. He missed eight and comes back and plays three and he ends up hurt again. He was rehabbing last year the whole year couldn’t practice all week. All those things enter into it.

“Chris Hairston I think can be a really good left tackle. He’s a rookie. It’s going to take him a little bit. He got some good experience this year. So we at least have a couple of possibilities at left tackle and those are the two. With his length and all that with Chris Hairston, he’s a smart guy and can be a left tackle and play over there and be serviceable for us. Demetrius it remains to be seen. We’re going to try to re-sign him. He’s up.”

Follow up question: Will those two options keep you from seeking a better option there?

“We’re going to draft a tackle if we can. If there’s one there is what I mean. If there’s one there that we think can play we’re going to draft a tackle. You can never have too many tackles. You can move a guy, now you can have exceptions to this, but it’s easier to move a guy from tackle to guard than guard to tackle obviously. So we draft tackles, we’re in pretty good shape at guard and center.”

5 – Chris,

First off great work covering our Buffalo Bills in the offseason. Every year you do a supreme job of getting information to Bills fans all over the nation and for that, thank you. My question is regarding the nature of our first two picks in the upcoming draft. I understand our primary need is to draft a player who can help our pass rush which I couldn’t agree with more. I agree with it so much that i was wondering what is the possibility of the Bills addressing their pass rush needs in both the first AND second round. I have been doing scouting of my own on defensive prospects and have seen Vinny Curry, DE from Marshall showing up on alot of up and coming lists. He is a fine physical specimen who has a whole college career of success (albeit in the FCS) and seems to have a tremendous upside. I think its safe to say if he was in the BCS he would be a first round pick. So Chris what do you think of Vinny and the possibility he last until the Bills second round pick.

Thanks So Much, GO BILLS!
Taylor – Gillespie, IL

CB: Glad you enjoy our coverage of the team. Thanks for your readership and viewership. Vinny Curry had a good week at the Senior Bowl. He’s a high motor guy with good strength and power. I don’t see him as all that different from Courtney Upshaw in terms of skill set, he just isn’t quite as powerful as Upshaw.

The knock on him is he doesn’t have the elite speed to beat NFL tackles around the corner with regularity so some teams don’t see him as a true RDE. A lot of scouts are projecting him to left end because he’s strong enough to hold up over there and offers enough pass rush ability to be productive down the line.

Some do have concerns that his pass rush repertoire is limited, which is what drops him to a second-round prospect. But if he tests well at the Combine he could move into the top half of round 2 because you know what you’re going to get from him every snap.

Bills head coach Chan Gailey confirmed that the plan going into Sunday’s game is for Demetrius Bell to start against the Dolphins. But that doesn’t mean that Chris Hairston won’t play Sunday.

“Right now that is the plan, for him to start at left tackle,” said Gailey. “He played well last week and did some good things so we’ll give him a shot.”

In his weekly one-on-one interview with Buffalobills.com, Gailey explained that the reasoning behind the re-insertion of Bell into the lineup is simply based on what provides the team with the best lineup.

“I’m not worried about seeing Chris Hairston and I’m not worried about seeing Demetrius Bell,” said Gailey. “We think today Demetrius Bell gives us the best chance to win. That’s why he’s playing there. He did a good job against San Diego and is finally healthy and is playing a little better right now. We want to give an opportunity to whoever is playing the best right now. I think Chris will play in the game this week, but Demetrius gets the start.”

Last Sunday Demetrius Bell was rotated into the lineup at left tackle replacing rookie Chris Hairston at times. Although the rookie has started the last three games head coach Chan Gailey saw enough good things from Bell that it’s prompted him to play the veteran more this week.

“That was a pleasant surprise, to be honest with you,” said Gailey. “Demetrius played a lot better than maybe even I had anticipated. He came in and did a good job and I think that he’ll play more, I know he’ll play more next week, Demetrius will.”

Bell got 20 snaps in relief of Hairston last week, and according to Pro Football Focus allowed just one QB pressure. When asked if Bell could start Sunday against the Dolphins Gailey left the door open.

“I don’t know, we’ll see,” said Gailey. “Let us see how it goes during the week.”